20.) The Personal “Soft” Powers of the Prime Minister

Question 1

Name examples of when PMs have shown risk and been rewarded?

Answer 1

-Falklands War (Thatcher - 1982)
-Scottish Independence Referendum (Cameron - 2014)

Question 2

Why was the Falklands War an example of a risk that paid off?

Answer 2

Some ministers pushed for negotiation, Thatcher assembled a task force and took the islands back within 10 weeks

Question 3

What effect did the victory in the Falklands have?

Answer 3

Boosting Thatcher’s political capital and contributing to the 1983 election win

Question 4

Why was Cameron’s 2014 Indy ref a gamble?

Answer 4

He campaigned for Scotland to stay in the UK and if they’d left it would’ve dented his authority

Question 5

The Scottish referendum failed, how did that affect Cameron?

Answer 5

Boost his credentials as his strategy in granting the referendum worked

Question 6

What can a PM in a strong position do regarding their cabinet if necessary?

Answer 6

If needed, they could shift their cabinets and minimise dissenters and promote loyalists